John C. Sokatch

Member

John Sokatch is a business litigator who never loses sight of the business behind the litigation. As much as he relishes his role as a powerful courtroom advocate, John takes even greater satisfaction from developing practical yet creative solutions to a wide range of complex commercial disputes. He complements his trial skills with a transactions background to put his clients in the best possible position if litigation arises.

Responsive and personally invested in his clients' success, John represents a diverse clientele in commercial conflicts. His practice includes handling limited liability company membership and partnership disputes, commercial real estate, landlord-tenant and development litigation, trade secret misappropriation, and breach of contract claims.

In every matter that crosses his desk, John first seeks to understand his clients' overall business objectives to provide them with options and then set a course best suited to achieving their goals.

A consummate trial lawyer, John has first-chaired numerous large and complicated cases through trial in both state and federal courts. He manages every aspect of a case, ensuring it is staffed for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Understanding that aggressive advocacy and civility are not opposing values, he forges professional working relationships with opposing counsel to reduce costly bickering on tangential issues and facilitate negotiated resolutions in even the most contentious matters.

John also leverages his substantial transactions experience to counsel physicians and dentists regarding the governance and management of their practices, helping them avoid problems and seize opportunities.

His capacity to serve as both a business counselor and a business litigator has made John a trusted and valued partner for his clients.

“At the end of the day, business litigation is a business problem in need of a business solution. My goal is to find a business-oriented solution for the client—whether that’s inside or outside of the courtroom.”

Education

- Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, J.D., 2012
- University of Oklahoma, B.A., cum laude, 2008

Bar and Court Admissions

Bar Admissions
- Oklahoma, 2020
- Texas, 2012
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. Tax Court

Professional Recognition

- Recognized in Texas Super Lawyers^® as a Rising Star in Business Litigation; Closely Held Business; Appellate; Business/Corporate; Intellectual Property Litigation; Real Estate: Business 2016-2023
- 2020 Strategic Partner Award for Empowerment presented by DXC Technology
- National Order of the Barristers, 2012

Affiliations

- SMU International Law Review Association – Assistant Managing Editor/Write-On Editor
- Dallas Bar Association – Commercial Litigation Section Member
- Dallas Chamber of Commerce – Lead YP Class of 2014 Member, Young Professionals Leadership Committee
- State Bar of Texas – Trade Secrets Committee

Community

- Big Brothers/Big Sisters Dallas Volunteer Mentor, 2015

Dallas 214-462-6494

Areas of client focus

Practices

Litigation Appellate and Critical Motions Commercial Litigation Intellectual Property Trademarks and Copyrights Non-Compete, Unfair Competition, and Trade Secrets Real Estate Disputes Real Estate Acquisitions, Dispositions, and Developments

Industries

Construction Dental Service Organizations (DSO)Management Services Organization

Latest News and Insights

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Intellectual Property Update and Year in Review | January 2024

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Lead Counsel for Dental Services Organization (“DSO”) client in breach of contract case, resulting in seven-figure jury verdict and attorneys’ fees for client and take nothing judgment on all counterclaims.
Lead Counsel for DSO client in partnership dispute involving enforcement of Succession Agreements, Medicaid/Medicare liabilities, dental board regulations, and redemption rights, resulting in final arbitration award transferring ownership to DSO client’s designated dentist and seven-figure attorneys’ fees award.
Lead Counsel for DSO client in partnership dispute involving management rights in case, resulting in final arbitration award enjoining transfer of company funds and misconduct and ordering orderly wind-down of company.
Lead Counsel for DSO client and private equity client in contract interpretation dispute, resulting in final arbitration award construing contract in clients’ favor.
Lead Counsel for DSO client in partnership dispute, resulting in successful division of dental practices and dissolution of non-compete agreements.
Lead Counsel for multiple DSO/dental clients on partnership/LLC member disputes, corporate governance, and dental regulatory matters.
Lead Counsel for multiple DSO/dental clients seeking enforcement of advisor agreements and payment of Success Fees.
Lead Counsel for oral surgeon client in partnership dispute and defending allegations of dental regulatory violations, resulting in take nothing arbitration award in client’s favor and successful dissolution of oral surgery practice.
Lead Counsel for real estate developer in partnership dispute in bankruptcy proceedings, resulting in bankruptcy court’s dismissal of re-organization plan based on lack of feasibility and findings of bad-faith filing and resulting in client’s ability to sell real property in dispute for seven-figures.
Lead Counsel in contract dispute over ownership of $10 million private jet, resulting in client’s full ownership of private jet.
Lead Counsel in dispute over LOI and rights to purchase $135 million property in Collin County, Texas, resulting in seven-figure attorneys’ fees award for client.
Lead Counsel for prominent Dallas-based real estate developer, resulting in expunction of lis pendens with Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and sale of +$100 million real property.
Lead Counsel in negotiations of complex commercial litigation matters, including settlement agreements with purchase options for multi-million dollar real estate transactions, partner/LLC member/shareholder buyouts, trademark co-existence agreements, and multi-million dollar settlements.
Lead Counsel for prominent Dallas-based commercial real estate developer on multi-million land developments and tax incentives agreements with City of Frisco, Texas and Dallas, Texas.
Lead Counsel for Taiwanese stack manufacturer against General Electric in AAA arbitration dispute.
Lead Counsel for complex commercial litigation dispute in federal court involving ownership of trademark and trade secret rights.
Lead Counsel for prominent Dallas-based accounting firm in several matters against former partners, directors, and shareholders involving non-solicitation agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and redemption agreements.
Lead Counsel for two international arbitration matters involving misappropriation of trade secrets by Chinese telecommunications conglomerate in Liberia seeking +$800 million in damage.
Lead Appellate Counsel in Chan Il Pak v. AD Villarai, LLC, et al., Case No. 16-0673 (Texas Supreme Court), Case No. 05-14-01312 (Fifth Court of Appeals), Case No. 05-15-00079 (Fifth Court of Appeals), successfully obtaining a reversal and remand of ~$1 million judgment arising from LLC dispute with Fifth Court of Appeals (Case No. 05-14-01312).
Lead Appellate Counsel in JMS Construction, Inc., et al. v. Joseph E. Ashmore, Jr., et al., Case No. 05-15-00537, successfully obtaining modified trial court judgment resulting in $1 million reduction of damages under one-satisfaction rule (2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 13201).
Lead Appellate Counsel in appeal of temporary injunction entered against prominent commercial real estate developer in Collin County, Texas.
Second-Chair Counsel for summary jury trial involving real estate/partnership dispute, resulting in two summary jury verdicts of $2.4 million and $2.6 million in Collin County, Texas.
Tried 20+ complex commercial litigation cases to verdict, judgment, or final award.
Briefed and argued dispositive motions, applications for and dissolutions of TROs and temporary injunctions, special appearances, receivership proceedings, written discovery and discovery motions, motions to compel and stay pending arbitration, expert disqualifications, pre-trial objections and motions, opening, direct and cross-examination of trial witnesses, closing, trial briefs, post-trial discovery, and post-judgment collection judgment hearings.
Taken and defended hundreds of depositions of parties, non-party fact witnesses, and expert witnesses.
Taken and defended hundreds of direct examinations and cross-examinations at trial of parties, non-party fact witnesses, and expert witnesses.
Consulted clients regarding corporate and partnership structures, and all aspects of pre-litigation planning.
Drafted and negotiated LLC Company and Operating Agreements, Corporate Bylaws, and Partnership Agreements.
Advised and consulted corporate clients on complete corporate restructures and re-organizations.
Consulted and assisted clients on federal and state trademark registrations, and trademark co-existence agreements.
Drafted and negotiated commercial real estate lease agreements.

Dallas 214-462-6494

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Construction Dental Service Organizations (DSO)Management Services Organization

03.21.24

13 Dykema Attorneys Named 2024 Rising Stars by Texas Super Lawyers

Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 13 of its Texas-based attorneys have been named 2024 Rising Stars by Super Lawyers Magazine.
01.29.24

Intellectual Property Update and Year in Review | January 2024

Publications

In this newsletter, Dykema IP attorneys provide insights on key developments of 2023 and look to what is and could impact 2024.
03.22.23

Eight Dykema Attorneys Named 2023 Rising Stars by Texas Super Lawyers

Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that eight of its Texas-based attorneys have been named 2023 Rising Stars by Super Lawyers Magazine.
12.19.22

2022 Intellectual Property Update and Year in Review

Publications

In this newsletter, we provide insights on key developments over the last year and look to what could impact the new year.
03.22.22

Five Dykema Attorneys Named as 2022 Texas Rising Stars by Super Lawyers

Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that five of its Texas-based attorneys have been named 2022 Rising Stars by Super Lawyers Magazine.
12.17.21

2021 Intellectual Property Update and Year in Review

Publications

As we look forward to 2022 and intellectual property (IP) strategies for the new year, it is a good time to reflect on what IP issues were prominent in 2021 and what could be on the horizon. Dykema's…

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Dallas 214-462-6494

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Construction Dental Service Organizations (DSO)Management Services Organization

John C. Sokatch

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Latest News and Insights

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

13 Dykema Attorneys Named 2024 Rising Stars by Texas Super Lawyers

Press Releases

Intellectual Property Update and Year in Review | January 2024

Publications

Eight Dykema Attorneys Named 2023 Rising Stars by Texas Super Lawyers

Press Releases

2022 Intellectual Property Update and Year in Review

Publications

Five Dykema Attorneys Named as 2022 Texas Rising Stars by Super Lawyers

Press Releases

2021 Intellectual Property Update and Year in Review

Publications

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries